Abstract

Background. The main purpose of this work is to determine how early physiotherapy influences the recovery of motor capacity of the upper and lower limb and ability communicate in patients following surgical treatment of traumatic subdural and epidural hematomas. Material and methods. The study group included 84 patients who had undergone surgery due to traumatic subdural and epidural hematomas. The patients were subdivided into two subgroups according to the type of physiotherapy they received. Motor capacity of the lower limb and ability to communicate were assessed according to the Brunnström scale. The Wilcoxon test for dependent data and U-Mann-Whitney test for independent data were used to compare means. Results. The results of the study confirmed a significant improvement of motor capacity of the upper and lower limb as well as the ability to communicate in all patients. However, the recovery of the motor functions in patients subjected to physiotherapy combining selected models of the PNF-concept and the Bobath method occurred significantly faster when compared to patients treated with standard physiotherapy. No differences between the subgroups were recorded with respect to the recovery of the ability to communicate. Conclusions. The results also suggest that the greatest potential for disturbed functions exists in the early postoperative period (Days 1-5).

Key words:

early physiotherapy, PNF concept, Bobath method, traumatic subdural and epidural hematomas, motor capacity